After more than a decade of allowing electric vehicles to use carpool lanes with just one person inside, California‘s popular program will end on September 30, 2025.
Federal law 23 U.S.C. §166, which governs HOV lane operations, is forcing the change despite California’s wish to continue the incentive.
The California DMV has announced that all Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decals will become invalid after September 30, 2025.
Drivers who try to use HOV lanes alone after this date risk getting a ticket. The final day to request a CAV decal will be August 29, 2025.
Currently, about 519,000 vehicles have active CAV decals in California.
These decals have been a strong selling point for electric cars, which now make up one in four new vehicles sold in the state.
The program was created to boost adoption of low-emission vehicles by offering the perk of HOV lane access.
However, federal authorities are now prioritizing the original purpose of carpool lanes: moving more people in fewer vehicles to reduce traffic.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) confirms the program hasn’t been extended.
They note that while the incentives helped meet air quality goals, federal rules take precedence.
Transportation experts suggest the change may help reduce congestion in HOV lanes, which have become crowded with solo electric vehicles.
Critics worry the end of this perk might slow down EV adoption.
Starting October 1, 2025, all vehicles in HOV lanes must carry the posted minimum number of passengers or pay tolls where applicable.
The federal preemption effectively overrides California’s attempts to maintain the program.
The California Legislature proposed Assembly Bill 2678 to extend the program to January 1, 2027, but still requires federal approval.
Despite losing this incentive, California still aims for 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035.
The end of the HOV privilege marks a significant shift in how the state promotes clean vehicles, moving away from traffic perks and toward other incentives as EVs become mainstream.
Electric vehicles remain a cornerstone of California’s environmental strategy due to their environmental benefits including 99% less carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil fuels.
A survey shows that nearly 30% of EV owners might not have purchased their vehicles without access to these state incentives.
References
- https://lamag.com/transportation/california-clean-air-vehicle-decal-program-to-expire-on-september-30
- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-08-08/california-ev-drivers-losing-carpool-lane-privileges
- https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/license-plates-decals-and-placards/clean-air-vehicle-decals-for-using-carpool-lanes/
- https://www.bayareafastrak.org/en/help/clean-air-vehicles-guide.shtml
- https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/carpool-stickers
